the Price of Little League

Little League Baseball is a great organization that puts together kids from a set area or neighborhood that want to play baseball on a team. They provide coaches from the dads that volunteer and they provide uniforms on loan. They give you your team hat, which you get to keep. You usually have to provide your own mitt, cleats, protective gear and sometimes the socks and belt to match the uniform. The organization pays for umpires for home plate, once you get past T-ball. You will be notified of when and where your team will practice, once the teams are set and you have to take what you get as far as times and location. It is usually about 3 practices a week for a few weeks. Then once the games start it goes down to one practice a week - at the coaches' discretion.

They do a wonderful job of teaching the game of baseball. It is a very encouraging situation for all levels of players. On the down side, you may not get as much playing time as you'd like if the team has more than 12 players. The rules state that everyone gets to play a minimum amount, after that it is up to the coaches. Most try to be fair and play the kids somewhat equally at the younger ages. It is not all about winning, so that is the positive side. If the coach isn't great with kids, it can be a real bummer. We have not had that situation, but we know a few times that has happened. Usually that coach does not continue coaching after that.

Ask around and request a coach that you admire or have heard good things about. Try to support the team as much as you can and don't put down the coach to your kids. Be a good sport as a parent and your child will learn to be a good sport too.